Top 10 Richest People in the World

Year after year, the Forbes magazine comes up with a comprehensive list of the world's wealthiest people. Let's take a look at the individuals who have been able to secure a position among the top 10 richest in the Forbes list in 2014.

Forbes has been compiling the annual list of the world's richest people for more than 25 years. The highlight of 2014 is obviously the number of billionaires - 1,645, which is the highest ever, along with the staggering combined net worth of $6.4 trillion. Another highlight of the year is the 268 newcomers that have joined the billionaire club for the first time in 2014.

This year, Bill Gates has been able to regain the top position, while Carlos Slim Helú has slipped from the number one position after holding that position for four successive years. The first part of the Forbes billionaires list retains the familiar names, but its lower half sees some new entrants, having ousted the previous contenders.

A rise in the prices of Microsoft shares has helped Gates regain the number one position in 2014. Now, he is planning to devote more time at Microsoft in the face of the growing competition from rivals like Google and Apple. Though Gates stepped down from the post of chairman of Microsoft, he has decided to support the new CEO Satya Nadella as a technology advisor. But this does not mean that Gates is going to compromise on his philanthropic endeavors.

Gates has spent more than $28 billion on various charitable causes, with the eradication of polio topping his list. So far, he has secured $335 million in pledges from his fellow billionaires for charitable causes. Together with Warren Buffet, he is trying to get more billionaires involved with philanthropy, and have them signed the Giving Pledge, a promise to donate at least half of their fortunes to charity.

Carlos Slim Helú and Family

Net Worth: $72 billionCitizen of: Mexico

Carlos Slim Helú has slipped from number one position to number two with a decline in his fortune by $1 billion. This decline in his net worth can be attributed to the 50% fall in the value of the shares of Minera Frisco, coupled with a dip in the value of his telecom company America Movil. Among the top 10 richest people in the world, Helú was the only person to become poorer in the last year. However, he continues to contribute to philanthropic endeavors, including those spearheaded by Bill Gates. Presently, Carlos Slim Helú is the chairman and chief executive of the telecommunications companies, Telmex and America Movil.

Amancio Ortega has been able to latch on to the third position, thanks to the rising stock value of Inditex, which owns the phenomenally popular fashion brand 'Zara'. Ortega's net worth increased by $7 billion in the last year. However, the man himself continues to remain a mystery, keeping a low profile and ritually staying away from the press. In 2011, he stepped down from the post of chairman of Inditex, but he still owns 60% of its shares. Apart from holding shares in Inditex, he is known to invest a lot in real estate. In the last year, he bought 4 new buildings in Madrid, London, and New york, which increased the number of buildings owned by this richest retailer to 26.

Warren Buffett

Net Worth: $58.2 billionCitizen of: USA

Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway has managed to retain his fourth position among the top 10 richest of the world this year too. Over the years, Buffett has embodied the spirit of generosity, and he donated $2 billion to the Gates Foundation in 2013. In spite of donating so much wealth, his net worth increased by $4.7 billion in the last year. So far, Buffet has donated about $20 billion for charitable causes. In the last year, he along with 3G Capital, bought the leading ketchup brand Heinz, besides investing $4 billion in ExxonMobil.

Larry Ellison is the co-founder and CEO of the database giant Oracle, and has several business interests to go with it. The rise in his net worth can be attributed to the surging prices of his shares in Oracle. Recently, he has been investing a lot in real estate. He presently owns 98% of the Hawaiian island of Lanai, which he bought from David Murdock in 2012.

Charles Koch

Net Worth: $40 billionCitizen of: USA

Charles Koch is an American businessman, and the co-owner and CEO of Koch industries. The company was originally involved in oil refining and chemicals, but now it has expanded to include pollution control equipment and technologies, fibers, minerals, fertilizers, and polymers as well. As the Koch industry is expanding steadily, the net worth of Charles Koch has increased by $6 billion. Charles Koch is also a philanthropist and quite active in the political field.

David Koch is the brother of Charles Koch, and the co-owner of Koch industries. Both the brothers are tied to the sixth position in the world's billionaires list. David Koch is mainly involved with the chemical equipment sector of the Koch industries, and he serves as the Executive Vice President of the company. He is also a philanthropist, and has spent more than $1 billion for various charitable causes, including $395 million for medical research since 1998. He and his brother own 84% of the Koch Industries.

Sheldon Adelson

Net Worth: $38 billionCitizen of: USA

Sheldon Adelson has been able to make it to the top 10 richest in the Forbes list for the first time since 2007, owing to the rising share prices of the Las Vegas Sands, the American casino and resort operating company. His casino business is flourishing in Asia, where he is planning to expand his business further.

Christy Walton has replaced Liliane Bettencourt to become the richest woman in the world in 2014. She is the widow of John Walton, one of the sons of the founder of WalMart, Sam Walton. After her husband's demise in June, 2005, she inherited his property of $18.2 billion. The bulk of her wealth comes from her shares in WalMart and First Solar.

Jim Walton

Net Worth: $34.7 billionCitizen of: USA

Jim Walton is the youngest son of Sam Walton, the founder of WalMart. The rise in his net worth can be attributed to the surging prices of WalMart shares. Apart from having shares in WalMart, Jim Walton is the CEO of Arvest Bank, the bank owned by his family that has branches in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

As the atmosphere of uncertainty continues to pervade the stock markets all over the world, these individuals will experience oscillating fortunes. The list of 2015 may throw up more surprises with major upheavals, or it could remain largely unchanged. Whatever the outcome, the Forbes list of 'The World's Billionaires' will be an awaited one in 2015.